Archive for June, 2006

Below is a copy of an e-mail that I sent to every Macy’s/Filenes corporate contact I could get my hands on. To read about this stupidity, click here. If you feel strongly about this and want to send your own letter, contact me and I’ll forward you the e-mail addresses.

This really upset me, to the point that Dan and I sloshed up to Boston on Saturday to show our support at the Pride Parade. It was great to see such support from high school Gay/Straight Alliances, dozens of accepting churches, inclusive preschools, and of course my three favorites–the Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, and the National Organization for Women (NOW). For the life of me, I cannot understand what is so threatening about two people loving each other.

To Whom It May Concern:
As a fairly regular customer at Macy’s and Filenes, I am writing to you express my anger and disgust with your decision to alter the Boston Pride window display at your Downtown Crossing location. I viewed the display in person and found nothing offensive about the Pride Calendar, website listings for Boston Pride and the AIDS Action Committee, or the two male mannequins (who did not have “enlarged breasts” and were not wearing “skirts”). You should all be ashamed for buckling under the pressure of MassResistance, a hateful fringe group, instead of standing up for your original decision to honor the GLBT community.
I hope you realize that you have turned off and turned away a sizeable percentage of your loyal customers. From a financial perspective, it is huge mistake to upset the GLBT community because they have the most disposable income. It also saddens me that a Massachusetts location (the only state in the US currently allowing legal, same-sex marriage) would be responsible for this kind of cowardice.
Until I read or hear about a public apology from your company, I will be taking all of my business to Nordstrom and other Macy’s competitors. I will also spread the word to my family, friends, co-workers, etc. I truly hope that your company comes to it’s senses and adopts better diversity practices.
Sincerely,
Kerri Kanelos